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Hickory Run boasts 43 miles of trails, all open to hiking and some open to cross country skiing and snowmobiling in season. Visitors are encouraged to use the trails year round, said park manager Dave Madl.

Madl's trail recommendations are based on experience - he has been the park manager for six years, and worked as assistant park manager before that.

EXPERTS: Shades of Death trail is 1.5 difficult miles over rocky terrain. There are a few theories on how it received its ominous name, but Madl attributes it to the trail's surroundings - dark forest, rocky terrain, swamps and unfarmable soil. There's also a myth that refugees of the Battle of Wyoming fled to the park trail, but Madl denies that it's factual.

The Boulder Field trail is 3.5 miles one way, and very rocky. "If you're not an experienced hiker, I wouldn't recommend going up that trail," Madl said.

FAMILY FRIENDLY: Hawk Falls trail takes visitors to the only natural waterfall in the park, which is about 30 feet high. It's about three quarters of a mile each way, and is described as a moderate level hike. Visitors should still wear proper footwear, no sandals or flip flops, Madl said.

LONGEST: The Pine Hill Trail is a woodland trail that follows the boundaries of the park. At 3.8 miles, it's one of the park's longest.

SCENIC: Visitors can overlook the Lehigh River Gorge from the Fireline Trail. The trail is about 3 miles long and listed as difficult, although its topography isn't too steep, Madl said.

"I do like to get out on the trails, especially with my little ones, when I can," he said.

The park offers 18 miles of trails, including 15 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, he said.

BEGINNERS: The paved trail that runs through the park's picnic area and along the lake is a beginner's best bet. The trail is fairly flat with a paved surface, Drew said. It also provides a scenic view of the park's tree-lined lake.

EXPERTS: All the park's trails are intermediate level, but some provide more inclines and declines. Drew recommends Snowflake and Frost Hollow trails for a more challenging walk.

FAMILY FRIENDLY: The Woodland Ponds trail near the top of the campground area is wide, flat and easy to walk, with no steep hills - ideal for children and families, Drew said. It ends at a small pond below the campground. He also recommends the Lakeshore, Orchard and Ranger trails, which he has hiked with his own children.

LONGEST: The Abington Trail is the longest the park has to offer - four miles, according to Drew. The trail wraps around three quarters of the park, mostly through forest areas. Its terrain varies and is hilly at times. The trail is recommended for horseback riding. It is also a good starting point for longer hikes, because many of the park's other trails branch off of it.

SCENIC: When it comes to picking the most scenic trail, Drew admits he's partial to all of them.

"I'm a little biased because they're all beautiful to me," he said.

The Orchard trail runs close to the lake, offering a view of seasonal changes, birds and wildlife, he said. The Ranger trail follows Kennedy Creek, giving hikers more to look at than just trees.

RICKETTS GLENN STATE PARK

Location: Route 487, Benton

Contact: 477-5675

There's a lot of history growing in the forests of Ricketts Glenn, said Environmental Education Specialist Judy Adamic. The park's Evergreen Trail takes hikers through an old growth forest, featuring trees that are 200-800 years old. Visitors can take a self-guided tour by following posted signs. It's an easy walk - about one mile, with a few steps leading down to the trail.

Here are more trail recommendations from Adamic, who has worked at the park for 12 years and hosts a variety of environmental education programs.

Beginner: The Beach Trail offers a short, easy hike (0.8 miles) from the park's campgrounds to Lake Jean. The Highland Trail cuts across the top of the Falls Trail for about a mile. Hikers will see the geology of the park, including large rock formations deposited by glaciers. The terrain is rocky.

Expert: The Old Bulldozer Road Trail provides a 3-mile upward climb previously used by a bulldozer when the park was built. "It's just kind of a straight shot up the mountain," Adamic said. She recommends this hike for people who are into strenuous walking and exercise - and no one else. Hikers can access the trail from the parking lot on Route 118.

Family friendly: The Bear Walk Trail provides a nice walk through the woods for hikers of all ages, Adamic said. It is about a mile-long walk from the park's cabin area to Lake Rose.

LONGEST: The Mountain Springs Trail is a good hike for a day trip. The 4-mile trail takes visitors past the old Lake Leigh dam and Bowmans Creek to Mountain Springs Lake, which is a pretty spot for a picnic. Hikers can return the same way, or take the 4.6-mile Cherry Run Trail, which can be accessed near the Lake Leigh dam. Cherry Run winds through cherry tree groves and old logging camps. It's a moderate hike with some hills, but no steep drops.

SCENIC: The park's 7.2-mile Falls Trail features 21 waterfalls, ranging from 11-94 feet. See most of them by taking the 3.2-mile loop from Highland Trail (Ganoga and Glen Leigh sides). The trail is made difficult by its rocky and slippery and steep terrain. Hikers should take their time and be cautious, Adamic said.

The Grand View Trail is an aptly-named 2-mile hike up Red Rock Mountain. Hikers can view changing foliage on the surrounding hillsides in fall.

SUSQUEHANNA TRAILERS HIKING

Contact: susquehanna_trailers.tripod.com

Hikers of all ages can experience the joys of nature at trails both near to and far from Wilkes-Barre, according to Rich McNulty, president of the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. Members have been embarking on hikes on some of the best trails in the area since the club originated in 1932. Hikes are scheduled year round.

Beginner: The approximately three-mile trail around the Seven Tubs Natural Area in Plains Township is a easy hike for those just starting out, McNulty said. The park gets its name from the sandstone potholes formed by melting glacier water. The Wheelbarrow Run stream runs through the tubs. The more than 500 acres in the park are accessible just off state Route 115, a few minutes from Wilkes-Barre.

Expert: For the daring, only the best of the best will do - the Breakneck Ridge Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park, N.Y., north of New York City. The trail winds steeply up Breakneck Ridge, but the persevering are rewarded with fantastic views of mountain vistas over the Hudson River.

"This hike has it all," McNulty said.

The nine-mile hike was deemed the best in America by Backpacker Magazine, and is only about a two hour drive from Wilkes-Barre, he added.

Family friendly: The Susquehanna River Trail in the heart of the Wyoming Valley is a favorite for a quick walk that will keep children occupied without tiring them out, McNulty said. Twelve miles of trails wind through Kingston and Wilkes-Barre. Access a roughly 3-mile trail at Church Street in Kingston, ending at state Route 11.

Longest: For those looking to go the distance, McNulty recommended the Pinchot Trail, a loop-type footpath in the Lackawanna State Forest in Thornhurst. The 23-mile trail system is doable in one day for experienced hikers, McNulty said. Those wanting to take their time through the expansive forests can camp along the trail for a full weekend of adventure.

Scenic: There's an excellent reason Ricketts Glenn State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania, especially when it comes to scenic walks. The 21 waterfalls along the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glenn makes this hike one of the most scenic in the area, McNulty said, especially after a good rainfall.

TRAILS THROUGH HISTORY

Try these historic trails, which provide a glimpse at local history and the scenic outdoors:

BACK MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Contact: course.wilkes.edu/bmt/

The Back Mountain Trail follows an old rail line abandoned by the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company in 1963. The Anthracite Scenic Trails Association converted 4.5 miles of the line to a trail that stretches from Luzerne to Lower Demunds Road in Dallas.

Access points to the trail are located near the Knights of Columbus building on Parry Street, Luzerne and East Franklin Street, Shavertown.

FRANCES SLOCUM TRAIL

Location: Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming

Contact: 696-3525

Frances Slocum Trail is a 0.7-mile loop that starts at the boat rental parking lot. It passes the rock shelter where Slocum was held captive.

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